Next bite 2024: A Net Zero Food System

The food system is at the heart of the global climate crisis, responsible for nearly a third of greenhouse gas emissions. In this episode, recorded live at Next Bite 2024, Matt Eastland and a panel of innovators, changemakers, and researchers explore the multifaceted journey toward achieving a net-zero food system. The discussion covers transformative initiatives in food waste, circular economy, alternative proteins, and regenerative agriculture, emphasizing the systemic changes needed to create a sustainable and equitable future.

Key Takeaways:

EIT Food’s Mission: Driving Systemic Change

• EIT Food focuses on three interconnected missions: promoting healthier lives through food, achieving net-zero food systems, and building a fair and resilient food system.

• Achieving net zero requires scaling regenerative agriculture, creating new markets for food waste, and fostering circular food economies.

Innovative Solutions to Food Waste

• Waste to Plate Initiative: Spearheaded by EIT Food, this project aims to create one million meals from surplus food by 2027, transforming waste into valuable resources like nutritious food products and biofertilizers.

• Global Food Banking Network: By redistributing 654 million kilos of surplus food in 2023, the network not only combats hunger but also reduces methane emissions from food waste.

The Power of Circular Systems

• EcoBean’s Coffee Waste Revolution: EcoBean transforms spent coffee grounds into sustainable products like coffee oil, protein additives, and lactic acid, saving three tons of CO2 for every ton processed. This initiative demonstrates how waste streams can become high-value inputs for various industries.

Innovation in Sustainable Packaging

• ENEA, Italy’s leading research institute, is developing packaging solutions from citrus waste to extend shelf life, enhance food safety, and reduce the environmental footprint of soft plastics.

Alternative Proteins and Protein Diversification

• The Good Food Institute accelerates plant-based, fermentation-based, and cultivated protein innovations, reducing reliance on industrial animal agriculture. Collaborative conversations between alternative protein and regenerative agriculture movements highlight shared goals for a more sustainable food system.

The Role of Policy in Shaping Food Systems

• Policymakers play a pivotal role by increasing public funding for sustainable innovations, streamlining regulatory pathways for alternative proteins, and ensuring evidence-based policies for regenerative agriculture and protein diversification.

Call to Action:

For Consumers:

• Ask retailers and brands about their sustainability practices. Your voice matters in holding companies accountable for waste and emissions.

• Adopt small actions like reducing household food waste through better storage and understanding expiration labels.

For Businesses:

• Leverage circular economy principles to turn waste into valuable resources, as demonstrated by initiatives like Waste to Plate and EcoBean.

• Collaborate across sectors to develop scalable solutions for decarbonizing supply chains.

For Policymakers and Innovators:

• Prioritize public funding for emerging technologies in sustainable food systems.

• Foster collaborations between stakeholders to align goals and drive systemic change.

Achieving a net-zero food system requires bold innovation, collaborative efforts, and systemic transformation across the supply chain. Initiatives such as EIT Food’s Waste to Plate, EcoBean’s coffee waste valorisation, and the Global Food Banking Network’s redistribution efforts highlight the power of aligning sustainability with business and community needs. By taking collective action, we can build a food system that supports both the planet and its people.

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